title: Evaluation of acute gait abnormalities in preschool children.
abstract: The charts of 60 consecutive children aged less than 5 years hospitalized for evaluation of a new onset limp or refusal to bear weight were reviewed. Only 1 of 22 patients with a normal complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and temperature had an infection. Of the 14 patients with a diagnosis of infection, only one had a normal CBC, ESR, and temperature. Radiographs were diagnostic in only four cases, whereas aspiration identified nine of 13 infections. Thirty-five bone scans were performed; 18 led to a definitive diagnosis including synovitis osteomyelitis, Perthes disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, (JRA), fracture, soft tissue infection, and discitis.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Department, Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Virginia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choban
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Killian
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013585:Synovitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology